† Many boats limit the number of divers to something less than the USCG certified passenger capacity.

NOAA Marine Conditions Reports and Forecasts

Keep in mind that NOAA condition reports and forecasts are just guidelines and tend to be pessimistic. They are notoriously inaccurate for dive planning purposes. However, if you are very susceptible to seasickness, be wary when the NOAA Coastal Waters Marine Forecast text reports wave heights exceeding 5 feet with winds that exceed 15 knots especially if winds are out of the East.

Windfinder™ for Deerfield Beach, FL

Some local dive boat captains seem to prefer the Windfinder wind, wave and weather forecast for Deerfield Beach. Windfinder specializes in wind, waves, tides and weather reports & forecasts for wind related sports like kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, sailing or paragliding. The forecast is based on the GFS model. The horizontal resolution is about 13 km. Forecasts are computed 4 times a day, at about 1:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Predictions are available in time steps of 3 hours for up to 10 days into the future. The arrows point in the direction that the wind is blowing.

Live Streaming Beach, Ocean and Underwater Cameras

Although it requires a bit of experience to observe near the shore line to estimate dive conditions at the reefs further out, many locals and boat captains do like to take look from the beach if there is any uncertainty in the forecast. There are a LOT of personal computer cameras looking out the windows of high rise condos, but they come and go too frequently to be reliable enough to be listed here. However, the City of Deerfield Beach maintains a page that streams three high resolution permanently maintained cameras. The Ocean and Beach cameras pan back and forth along the beach, pier, ocean and horizon; if you are patient you'll see some flags on the pier that will give you an idea of winds. You can't really determine anything about water clarity from the underwater camera, as the view there is always relatively murky due to proximity to the beach.

Average Water & Air Temps for Greater Ft Lauderdale

Fahrenheit

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Water Temp. (°F)

71

73

75

78

80

84

86

84

83

79

76

73

Air Temp. (°F)

66.2

66.6

70.9

74.3

77.7

81.0

82.4

82.8

81.9

78.1

72.7

68.4

Celsius

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Water Temp. (°C)

21.6

22.8

23.9

25.6

26.7

28.9

30

28.9

28.3

26.1

24.4

22.8

Air Temp. (°C)

19

19.2

21.6

23.5

25.4

27.2

28

28.2

27.7

25.6

22.6

20.2

Typical Sport Diving Boat Trip in South East Florida

Booking Policies of Area Dive Boats

Last-minute bookings can usually be accommodated. However, we recommend making reservations a few days in advance. Weekends, holidays, technical trips and lobster mini-season often require earlier reservations. Please make reservations directly with the boat. Reservations may be guaranteed with a credit card.

Most boats charge between $55 and $65 per person for the typical 'Two-Dive Half-Day' sport diving trip, with the largest boats having the lowest prices because they can distribute the fuel costs over more passengers. Prices may vary for special destinations; for example technical trips are usually $10 to $15 more. Reduced rates are often available for large groups and full boat charters.

Dive masters work for gratuities, typically $5 to $10 per diver, which is not included in the charter price.

Parking may not be free depending on boat dock location; public parking is typically $1.25 per hour.

You will be required to sign a detailed Assumption of Risk and Liability waiver before departure. These typically make clear that the trip charter fee is for transportation only and you alone are responsible for your safety while diving. For legal reasons, trips must be paid in full prior to boarding boat.

You may cancel 48 hours prior to departure time and receive a full refund. Failure to show up may result in your being charged for the trip.

The captain reserves the right to cancel or change dive sites, profiles and surface interval due to weather and sea conditions, experience level of divers, and other charters already diving/fishing the planned site. If the captain cancels the trip prior to departure, you will receive a full refund.

Preparations

Make sure your dive equipment is complete and dive-ready.

Most boats can supply AL-80 tank rentals of air or 32% Nitrox. For technical dive gases we suggest PDC

If desired, pack a towel, sun block, sunglasses and hat, medications, special foods/beverages, cash for tips and parking, etc.

Check in at the dock with the captain at least 20 minutes before trip departure time.

All boats provide ice and drinking water. Some boats also provide free sodas and snacks.

All boats have an emergency marine head (toilet) on board.

All boats have a limited volume freshwater rinse on board.

Dives

Sport trips include two dive sites (usually a wreck and reef, or two reefs).

Wreck dives are usually made using a buoyed decent line attached to the wreck.

Reef dives are usually drift style, and Florida law requires a dive flag/float and line for each dive team.

Upon request, boats can provide free dive flag/float and line.

You determine your dive profile, however divers may be asked to be back on the boat in an hour.

Usual minimum surface intervals are 30 minutes for Nitrox divers and 1 hour for air divers.

Surface interval can vary depending upon depths of first and second dive.

Depending on the circumstances, some captains allow solo diving for very experienced and properly equipped divers.

† Some dive operators have changed how your suitability to dive is determined. The diver certification card ("C-card") may not be considered adequate documentation of qualification to dive in Southeast Florida. Instead, you may be required to sign a waiver attesting to a list of specific declarations regarding your current health, physical condition, dive training and recent experience.